Readers of PD James, Ann Cleeves and Donna Leon will love this mesmerising and bone-chilling thriller from multi-million copy and SUNDAY TIMES bestselling author Ruth Rendell. You'll be hooked from page one!

'As sharp, observant and intelligent as ever' -- Sunday Express
'A dark, gripping novel permeated with unease and psychological twists . . . Certain to send a shiver down your spine' -- Today
'I LOVED IT' -- ***** Reader review
'Keeps you guessing' -- ***** Reader review
'I couldn't put it down!!' -- ***** Reader review
'Rendell at her best' -- ***** Reader review
'Intricate jewel of a puzzle' -- ***** Reader review
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Concealed by a shroud of dirty brown velvet, looking like a heap of rags, the woman's dead body lay between a silver Escort and a dark-blue Lancia.

In the desolate shopping centre car park, Wexford has been too preoccupied to notice anything out of the ordinary - only the teenage girl in the red car, driving past him rather too fast. It was Burden who called him at home with the grim news later that evening: the woman had been attacked from behind, perhaps with a thin length of wire.

But before Wexford can delve any deeper into this curious murder, he, too, faces death... Can Burden solve this mysterious crime without the help of his worldly Chief Inspector?